Lectures on Chinese Historical Geography is a landmark work that bridges a three-decade gap in English-language introductions to China’s historical geography. This comprehensive volume offers profound insights into how the dynamic interplay between geography, history, and human civilization has shaped China’s landscape, culture, and development from prehistoric times to the present. Covering a wide range of topics, the book examines the evolution of territorial boundaries, the long-standing debates over warm and cold periods in the past 2,000 years, and the connections between shifting economic centers and migration patterns. It also explores the strategic role of rivers, canals, and ancient roads, as well as the cultural exchanges fostered by the Silk Road and the influence of geography on ancient strategic spaces and capital cities. Since its original publication in 2015, the book has been reprinted over a dozen times and republished twice. It has become a key reference for historical geography courses at universities across China and is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive and influential works in the field. Lectures on Chinese Historical Geography is an essential resource for understanding the geographical foundations of China’s history and the evolution of human-environment interactions.
Introduction.- Human and environment in prehistoric times.- Territory
changes through ages from the geographical perspective.- Historical climate
change and geographic distribution of vegetation.- Human activity and
environmental transformation.- Historical economic geography: Southward shift
of economic focus and technological contribution of
northern migrants..- Evolution of rivers and lakes and human activity.-
Geographical space for animal husbandry and prairie nomadic lifestyle.- The
space of politics: Local administrative systems and divisions in ancient
China.- The politics of space: Principles for and history of administrative
division.- Historical transport geography: Road systems of three areas.-
Historical transport geography: Road transport in Northwest and Southwest
China.- Historical transport geography: Economic and cultural exchange
between southern and northern China under the influence of cannels and
waterways.- Geographical situation and evolution of strategic spaces in
ancient China.- Historical urban geography: Origination of cities, urban
geospatial patterns and layouts of capitals.
Maoli Han is a Boya Chair Professor at Peking University and the Deputy Director of the Historical Geography Committee of the Geographical Society of China. She specializes in Chinese historical geography, with significant contributions to the fields of historical agricultural geography, environmental changes, and rural social geography. Professor Han has led 13 major research projects and authored 10 influential monographs, along with more than 60 academic papers in these fields. Her work has earned her multiple academic and teaching awards at both national and municipal levels.
